Julie A Murphy1, Michelle N Schroeder1, Anita T Ridner2, Megan E Gregory3, Jangus B Whitner4, Sean G Hackett5. 1. Department of Pharmacy Practice, 7923University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA. 2. Department of Pharmacy, 70257The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy, 12306Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA. 4. Department of Pharmacy, PrimaryOne Health, Columbus, OH, USA. 5. Department of Pharmacy, Cleveland Clinic 22510Euclid Hospital, Euclid, OH, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In October 2012, a pharmacy-driven Inpatient Diabetes Patient Education (IDPE) program was implemented at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients who receive IDPE compared to those who do not. METHODS: This retrospective cohort was completed at UTMC. Patients admitted between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013, were included if they were ≥18 years and had one of the following: (1) diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, (2) blood glucose >200 mg/dL (>11.11 mmol/L) on admission, or (3) hemoglobin A1C of >6.5% (>48 mmol/mol). Patients who received IDPE from a pharmacist or student pharmacist (intervention group) were compared to patients who did not receive IDPE (control group). RESULTS: The 30-day readmission rate was 13.2% for the intervention group (n = 364) and 21.5% for the control group (n = 149) (P = .023). Average time to 30-day readmission was 13.1 (±8.3) days for the IDPE group and 11.9 (±7.9) days for the control group. There was no significant difference in diabetes-related readmission between the intervention and control groups (25.5% vs 21.9%). CONCLUSIONS: An IDPE program delivered primarily by pharmacists and student pharmacists significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates among patients with diabetes.
BACKGROUND: In October 2012, a pharmacy-driven Inpatient Diabetes Patient Education (IDPE) program was implemented at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients who receive IDPE compared to those who do not. METHODS: This retrospective cohort was completed at UTMC. Patients admitted between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013, were included if they were ≥18 years and had one of the following: (1) diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, (2) blood glucose >200 mg/dL (>11.11 mmol/L) on admission, or (3) hemoglobin A1C of >6.5% (>48 mmol/mol). Patients who received IDPE from a pharmacist or student pharmacist (intervention group) were compared to patients who did not receive IDPE (control group). RESULTS: The 30-day readmission rate was 13.2% for the intervention group (n = 364) and 21.5% for the control group (n = 149) (P = .023). Average time to 30-day readmission was 13.1 (±8.3) days for the IDPE group and 11.9 (±7.9) days for the control group. There was no significant difference in diabetes-related readmission between the intervention and control groups (25.5% vs 21.9%). CONCLUSIONS: An IDPE program delivered primarily by pharmacists and student pharmacists significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates among patients with diabetes.